Bersamina, Soguilon named Milo junior top athletes

MANILA, Philippines - Two outstanding chess player and swimmer are the recipient of the Milo Junior Athletes of the Year honor bestowed by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA).

International Master Paulo Bersamina and bemedalled swimmer Kyla Soguilon make up the latest batch of young achievers who will be honored in Monday’s PSA Annual Awards Night co-presented by Milo and San Miguel Corp. at the 1Esplanade in Pasay City.

It will be the third straight year that Milo in partnership with the country’s oldest media organization, are handing out the special award given to top young outstanding athletes whose achievements and excellence help inspire the Filipino youth.

Palarong Pambansa standouts Regina Erin Castrillo and Rafael Barreto were honored with the same award in last year’s edition of the formal affair that has Meralco, Smart, and the MVP Sports Foundation as principal sponsors and the Philippine Sports Commission as major sponsor.

Milo sports executive Andrew Neri said both Bersamina and Soguilon exemplified the values of leadership, discipline, perseverance, and integrity in life through their exceptional athleticism in their respective sports.

Bersamina earned his IM after topping the U-20 event of the 15th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in Macau.

Soguilon, on the other hand, made her presence felt in two international tournaments as a 10-year-old swimmer, including the 16th Royal Bangkok swimfest where she collected a total of six gold medals.

Both Bersamina and Soguilon will go up the stage twice during the awards night also supported by Air21, National University, PAGCOR, ICTSI, Accel, Maynilad, PBA, Rain or Shine, PCSO, El Jose Catering, Globalport, and 1Esplanade, as they are also part of the five-man awardee to be presented with the Tony Siddayao honor.

Lone Incheon Asian Games gold medal winner Daniel Caluag is the PSA’s 2014 Athlete of the Year.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia will be the special guest speaker and leads the local sports community in toasting Caluag and the rest of the honorees for what they achieved in 2014.

Two-time UAAP cheerdance competition champion National University will provide the entertainment part of the program to be hosted by veteran sportscasters Quinito Henson and Patricia Bermudez Hizon.

Invitations for the awards night had already been sent out, but those who failed to personally receive it, can get theirs at the lobby entrance of 1Esplanade.